School Updates and Latest News

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) home testing kits

  Fri 28 Aug 2020

  Coronavirus (COVID-19) home testing kits

   

  Schools and further education institutions will receive an initial supply of ten home test kits in line with the commitment the DFE made in July. 

   

  The school can only offer a home test kit to individuals who have developed symptoms while at school (the test will be given to the parent or carer as the child is under 18) in the exceptional circumstance when the school believes you may have barriers to accessing a test elsewhere, and that in giving a home test kit directly will therefore significantly increase the likelihood of your child getting tested.

  This will help us to take swift action to protect students and staff in the event of a positive test result.

   

  The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

  • a high temperature,
  • a new, continuous cough,
  • or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

   

  Home test kits should only be offered to individuals in the exceptional circumstance that you believe an individual may have barriers to accessing testing elsewhere. The best and fastest way for students or staff to access a test is to visit a testing site.

   

  Read the DfE guidance on home test kits for schools and FE providers in full via the link below:

   

  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-home-test-kits-for-schools-and-fe-providers/coronavirus-covid-19-home-test-kits-for-schools-and-fe-providers

   

• Supporting our Families in September 2020 further to lockdown

  Fri 31 Jul 2020

  We want to begin by thanking you....we just want to say how much we appreciate the efforts our families have gone to and the support you have provided. We know it hasn’t been easy and we want to ask for your help again in order for us to build a better picture of what lockdown looked like for each family.

   

  Once we have that information, we can tailor a recovery curriculum for each of our pupils and classes that takes into account the turbulent past few months and the current situation which children are trying to make sense of.

   

  Please could we ask that you take some time over the summer to follow the link below and complete the form. If you would like to speak in person with a member of staff, please let us know and we can arrange a remote online meeting or a phone call. 

   

  Could we ask that the form be completed by 1st September 2020. 

  Many thanks 

   

  Link: 

  https://forms.gle/hmdq32ihKEkfhGU19 

• The Rainbow Children by Gemma Peacock

  Mon 20 Jul 2020

  The Rainbow Children by Gemma Peacock

   

  The history books will talk of now,

   That time the world stood still.

   When every family stayed at home,

   Waved out from windowsills

  At those they loved but could not hold,

  Because they loved them so.

  Yet, whilst they did they noticed all the flowers start to grow.

   

  The sun came out, they can recall,

   And windows, rainbows filled.

  They kicked a football in their yards,

  Until the night drew in.

  They walked each day but not too close,

   That time the world stood still.

  When people walked straight down the roads,

  That once the cars did fill.

   

  They saw that people became ill,

  They knew the world was scared.

  But whilst the world stood still they saw,

  How much the whole world cared.

  They clapped on Thursdays from their doors,

  They cheered for the brave.

  For people who would risk their lives,

  So others could be saved.

   

  The schools closed down, they missed their friends,

  They missed their teachers so.

  Their Mam’s and Dad’s helped with their work,

  They helped their minds to grow.

  The parents used to worry that,

  As schools were put on hold,

  Their children wouldn’t have the tools,

  They’d need as they grew old.

   

  But history books will talk of them,

  Now adults, fully grown.

  Those little boys and girls back then,

  The ones who stayed at home.

  They’ll teach you that they fixed this world,

  Of all they would fulfil

   

  The rainbow children building dreams,

  They’d dreamed whilst time stood still.

• Raring to Go Magazine Summer 2020

  Fri 10 Jul 2020

  Hi Wolverley Sebright Primary Academy 

   

  I'm delighted to send you link to the digital Summer issue of Raring2go! for our area:

   

  https://magazines.raring2go.co.uk/kidderminsterandstourbridge/summer/

   

  As venues start opening up, the magazine will be a source of up-to-date information on what's available for families (it is linked directly to the Raring2go! online What's On calendar, so I cam keep it up to date with any new events and make changes as they occur).

   

  I've filled this issue with lots of ideas for families to have fun close to home, as I know many will feel more comfortable with that at the moment. Ideas include den building, craft, healthy picnic ideas, and even a sports day in the garden! But there are also details of venues/attractions that are now open - and need our support.

   

  With a lot of holidays cancelled, parents/carers will be looking for fun activities to fill the summer break, so I hope your families find this a useful resource. 

   

  Thank you very much for your support,

   

  Sally Walters

   

   

   

  Editor, Raring2go! Kidderminster, Wyre Forest & Stourbridge

• Free School Meal Eligibility

  Mon 06 Jul 2020

  As lockdown eases, we are increasingly conscious that many families have been and continue to struggle financially. It is an unfortunate but real consequence of the pandemic that many more families may need additional financial assistance and may now be entitled to Free School Meals. It is very easy to check your eligibility and apply online. If you are eligible, thanks to the recent campaign, you will receive vouchers to support you and spend over the summer as well as during term time.

   

  If you would like to check your eligibility, please follow the link below:-

   

  http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20062/schools/684/applying_for_free_school_meals/2

   

  If you need any additional support, please do not hesitate to contact the school on 01562 850268 or office@wolverleysebright.worcs.sch.uk

   

  Many thanks

  Mrs Hackett

• Message from Headteacher

  Fri 26 Jun 2020

  Nursery provision update

   

  Regrettably as you will all be aware, the private nursery on site, which has been closed due to COVID-19 since March, will say a fond farewell at the end of this term. This is not a decision anyone had wished for and we will only keep happy memories of their time in our school. Sadly, it was only via our parents that the school learnt the private Nursery had chosen to permanently close and not seek a temporary alternative. The decision to close was a shock and not something we wanted in the interest of the families of our community.

   

  Whilst the delayed building works are being completed we will now begin exploring how we can support our families and their younger children in the long and short term. Recent events and speculation have caused great upset not only for our community, but also for my staff and myself. Throughout this challenging period the focus as it has always been, has solely been on the pupils and families of this community, keeping everyone safe and trying to manage issues beyond our control.

   

  With our school already heavily oversubscribed we were left with no alternative to ensure our school remained compliant and safe.

   

  If there was any way of housing all of our school pupils and allocating sufficient space for the nursery to safely be on this site from September, then we would have done this.

   

  As Head Teacher I along with my governors were left with an impossible decision to make but these are the facts:

   

  • Due to COVID-19 a national and international lockdown has been in place.

   

  • The Schools & Early Years settings remained open only for children of Key Workers, we stayed open and became a ‘Hub’ for children of this school, Far Forest and Cygnets Nursery

   

  • Planned works on the modular build and future internal works were halted.

   

  • The company involved with the modular build went into administration then liquidation.

   

  • As a School we learnt the new classrooms would not be ready by September, therefore we needed to find an alternative plan.

   

  • During the lockdown I have worked tirelessly in partnership with SAET to try and find a solution for everyone.

   

  • Sadly, building works in the area of the existing nursery were delayed and will now take place throughout the Autumn term (originally this was due to start in April & finish by August.)

   

  • For the safety of our pupils and operational reasons the school cannot use alternative public sites to teach classes in September as this would be impractical.

   

  • Even if social distancing rules are relaxed, without using the modular build there would not be the legal space for our school pupils until internal building works are complete.

   

  • The private nursery has only ever rented the large space within the school building with a long standing 4 week notice period, agreed by all trustees.

   

  • At the earliest opportunity we met with the Nursery and alternative options were explored and help offered to the nursery.

   

  • Construction will now need to begin in the area currently occupied by the nursery during the summer holidays.

   

  • With over 60% of our pupils having not been in school since March, it is critical we limit any impact on pupils when they return.

   

  • Applications for this school in 2011 were 13, this year there were 104 applications.

   

  • We have waiting lists for each year group and our priority always has and will be the success of pupils in our community.  

   

  • As part of an Academy Trust the school has received capital funding of over £500,000 to improve our school and originally the facilities available to the nursery.

   

  • Moving forward as a Leadership Team with the Governing body we will work with our community to make sure our school continues to provide the best for our children.

   

  • The Early Years Team within the local authority has contacted the school with the offer of support for the future so I can assure our community, the lack of nursery provision in Wolverley will only be a temporary measure.

   

  In addition, we have had several parents already contact us and I have said that we will do everything we can to make sure Before and After School Care is available from September and Nursery provision is on our site as soon as possible.

   

  If you would like to discuss any aspect of this or your own individual family needs, as always I am here to help.

   

  Mrs Reeves-Walters

• Local Childminding Services

  Thu 25 Jun 2020

  Dear Parents, 

   

  Following the news that the private nursery will not be relocating due to delayed building works on the school site we have been approached by parents looking for a temporary solution from September. We are in touch with other private nurseries and childminders. Please find below details of local childminding services that currently have spaces available:-

   

  Lynn Deubert 07763 409433

   

  Penny Buncle 07833 950286

   

  Charlotte Deubert 07870 973500

   

  In the meantime we will keep all parents updated with the building works on site and how we can ensure our village does have Nursery provision as soon as possible. 

• School Update regarding Nursery

  Wed 24 Jun 2020

  School update regarding Nursery

   

  The school is now able to share measures being put in place as a direct consequence of the delay to building works caused by COVID-19. As we had previously communicated, our original plan had been to house a nursery on the school site using a modular build and to repurpose areas of the school building to accommodate larger learning areas.

   

  Unfortunately, the building company undertaking the work has since gone into administration. This delay means that we are unable to house the number of school children without using the modular build from September. As a result, there will not be space for both our children and a nursery until the second phase of building work can be completed.

   

  We have explored various alternatives, but with school being unable to use other sites (something we feel would be best avoided even if we could), we need to minimise the disruption as much as we are able to. This is particularly pertinent given that over 60% of our pupils have not been in school since March.

   

  This has not been a decision that has been taken lightly, but due to circumstances beyond our control our primary concern at this time must be to the children of this school. Please be rest assured that once all building works are complete, it is our intention to have nursery provision on this site.

   

  At present we are working on a plan to be able to offer before and after school provision from September. More information will follow shortly to all our parents.

   

  Many thanks

• A video for Children returning to School

  Mon 01 Jun 2020

  Worcestershire Children's First have created a short film which talks about returning to school. 

   

  It's worth taking a look...

   

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1JJwZN1ZtQ&feature=youtu.be 

• Wolverley Road - carriageway patching works 2nd June 2020

  Mon 01 Jun 2020

  Message from Worcestershire Highways - 

  We are writing to inform you that we will be carrying out carriageway patching works at the above location. 

  
  The works are programmed to start 2nd June to last approximately 4 days. Please note that these dates may change due to reasons beyond our control. 

   

  Please do not park on this road between 7.30am and 4pm as we will need the area free of vehicles. A road closure will be in effect throughout the duration of the works. When driving through our road closure please keep your speed below 10mph, drive with caution and follow any instructions given by our operatives. 

   

  We will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum during this period and would very much appreciate your patience and cooperation during the completion of the works. 

   

  Please avoid walking or driving over hot bituminous material, as it may cause burns or stick to your footwear, pets feet or tyres. In the interests of health & safety, depending on the type of works, safety bunting and cones or barriers may be placed around the working area.